Exodus 21:31

31 If a son or daughter is gored, the same judgment holds.

Exodus 21:31 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:31

Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter
A little son or daughter, and both Israelites, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra; this is observed, because only a man or woman are made mention of in ( Exodus 21:29 Exodus 21:30 ) persons grown up; and lest it should be thought that only adult persons were intended, this is added, to show that the same regard is had to little ones as to grown persons, should they suffer by an ox in like manner as men and women may. The Targum of Jonathan restrains this to a son or daughter of an Israelite; but the life of everyone, of whatsoever nation, is equally provided for, and guarded against by the original law of God:

according to this judgment shall it be done unto him;
to the owner of the ox that has gored a child, male or female; that is, he shall be put to death, if he has been warned of the practice of his ox for three days past, and has took no care to keep him in; or he shall pay the ransom of his life, as it has been laid by the court, with the consent of the relations of the children.

Exodus 21:31 In-Context

29 But if the ox has a history of goring and the owner knew it and did nothing to guard against it, then if the ox kills a man or a woman, the ox is to be stoned and the owner given the death penalty.
30 If a ransom is agreed upon instead of death, he must pay it in full as a redemption for his life.
31 If a son or daughter is gored, the same judgment holds.
32 If it is a slave or a handmaid the ox gores, thirty shekels of silver is to be paid to the owner and the ox stoned.
33 "If someone uncovers a cistern or digs a pit and leaves it open and an ox or donkey falls into it,
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.